768 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



State, 45'83 per cent ; those organized in other States, Gl'OG per cent ; 

 and foreign companies, 66'03 per cent." The ratios of expenses paral- 

 lel these proportions. So much for the saving power of direct inter- 

 est and control. 



The prevalence of wood in American building, arising from its 

 cheapness, has had its effect in promoting combustibility. AVe are 

 accustomed to hear frequent lamentations of the destruction of our 

 forests. That destruction will bear at least one benefit in its train — a 

 lessened use of wood in building. In European cities, where brick, 

 tiles, and cement largely take its place in construction, fires are infre- 

 quent, and not specially devastating. There fire departments may be 

 found in a simplicity which argues an enviable feeling of general secu- 

 rity. As lumber grows scarcer from year to year, and money cheajDer, 

 we may expect a decreasing combustibility in American buildings. 

 Immunity from loss is bought at its lowest price when a structure is 

 designed and erected with intelligence and liberality ; these qualities 

 will have more scope as capital grows more abundant. 



In developing sound princijDles of insurance the mutual underwriters 

 of New England have done notable work. Their inquiries have been 

 marked by a thoroughly scientific method, which has in its range gen- 

 erously included collateral investigations of immense economic value. 

 In the strict line of their researches, while applying justice, economy, 

 and ingenuity to the solution of their problems, they have taught les- 

 sons that must produce world-wide good. Their conscientious work, 

 when understood and applied, will inevitably lower the fire-tax, save 

 life, and abate one of the chief horrors of our civilization. 



CUMBEELAITD SOUND AND ITS ESKIMOS. 



By Dr. FEANZ BOAS,* 



SINCE times long ago ships have been yearly going out from their 

 native ports in pursuit of the whale. The vessels of the ancient 

 Basques, and the fleets of the Hanse cities, of the Netherlands, and of 



*Dr. Boas spent about twelve months, from August, 18S3, till the 25th of August, 

 1884, in exploring from his headquarters, at the Kikkerton Islands whaling-station, the 

 coasts of Cumberland Sound and Davis Strait. Though he was prevented by the changes 

 of the weather, and an epidemic that raged among the dogs, from accomplishing as much 

 as he had contemplated, he made numerous explorations in Cumberland Sound, and fol- 

 lowed the western coast-line of Davis Strait as far as Cape Raper in latitude 69° 50' 

 north, traversing in all his journeys nearly 2,400 miles of country, most of which had been 

 previously unexplored. He learned the language of the Eskimos, and acquired much in- 

 teresting information respecting their customs, traditions, and religious observances, some 

 of which are presented in this article. The sketches have been furnished us by the au- 

 thor in slips of the " Berliner Tageblatt," and have been translated from the German for 

 " The Popular Science Monthly." 



